After a highly successful first two seasons the GE Black Diamond AFL Women’s competition will increase to twelve teams for the 2017 competition.

Muswellbrook and Newcastle Nova’s will field teams for the first time in 2017 and join Cardiff, Gosford, Killarney Vale, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Nelson Bay, Newcastle City, Singleton, Warners Bay Wyong Lakes in the twelve team competition.

This Saturday, will see all twelve teams take to the field for the annual Black Diamond AFL Women’s Gala Day at Tulkaba Park, Teralba.

The action commences at 10am with all teams guaranteed three matches , each consisting of two ten minute halves.

The two leading teams will play off in the final at approximately 2.30pm.

Any women who are interested in having a game are welcome to come along on the day.

After winning the 2016 Black Diamond AFL Premiership, The Entrance Bateau Bay is looking forward to the challenge of playing in the revamped Black Diamond Plate competition.

Whilst last year they were playing predominantly against other clubs Reserve Grade and sometimes third grade sides in the 2nd Division competition, the Black Diamond Plate will see them play only against other first grade sides.

“It is a great step forward for our club and a fantastic opportunity for our club” The Entrance Bateau Bay President, Trent Allen said.

“Winning the 2nd Division Premiership last year was fantastic but our goal for the club was to give our current and future players the opportunity to play at the highest level without leaving the club and being in the Black Diamond Plate is a great step in that direction” Allen added.

“In the past we have either lost players, or not been able to attract players to the club because were weren’t playing in a first grade competition, however this has now changed.

Whilst numbers during pre-season have not been as strong as they would of liked a meeting of players and officials of the club last night have put steps in place to address this.

“We had a meeting last night and the feedback was good” Allen said.

“Our goal is to encourage all former The Entrance Bateau Bay senior and junior players back to the club, and also provide an opportunity for those players from other clubs who may not be getting an opportunity to play first grade football to come to The Entrance Bateau Bay. We have a great facility, offer football from Auskick through to first grade and are a good family club”.

Terrigal Avoca have appointed Mark Skuse as senior coach replacing Chris Bishop who stood down last week.

Skuse joins the club from AFL Sydney club East Coast Eagles where he played 22 NEAFL games and 64 Premier Division games for the AFL Sydney powerhouse over a 7 year period. He also played 9 games for AFL Queensland club Aspley in 2010.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time with East Coast Eagles however now that I am living at Umina the opportunity to coach on the coast was too good to pass up. I had been doing a bit of coaching in Sydney with the younger players both on and off the field last year and that whet my appetite for coaching" Skuse said.

It will be a playing coach role for the 31 year old midfielder and he doesn't expect to be changing too much of the game plan that Chris Bishop implemented to make the Panthers a juggernaught.

"We will have the same core playing group as last year so I don't expect to need to make too may changes apart from putting my stamp on a few things" Skuse added.

Skuse will be the second former East Coast Eagles player to be coaching in the Black Diamond AFL with Killarney Vale's Scott Reed also a former Eagles player.

On a more positive note, three times Elliott Davey Medallist, James Webster underwent knee surgery is expected to be back on the field by the end of April which will be a similar return date for Brendan Harper who missed almost all of last year with a knee injury.

After nine years at the helm, Premiership winning Coach, Chris Bishop has stood down as senior coach of Terrigal Avoca.

Bishop cited increasing personal commitments as well as the opportunity to take up other coaching opportunities as the reason for his decision.

"Time has become a real issue with a new baby and new job as well as still running my business and coaching commitments with the Swans Academy. In the end I realised that I could not put in the 20 or more hours required to coach a Black Diamond Cup side" Bishop said.

"I have also been offered an opportunity to be involved with the Sydney Swans Reserve Grade side as well as other Talent Programs which I would not be able to take advantage off if I was a senior coach" he added.

"It is something I have been talking to the club about for some time and I am appreciative of their support of my decision".

Bishop will leave a legacy with the Panthers having coached the club to three premierships, five Grand Finals and eight finals appearances in his nine seasons in charge.

Terrigal Avoca Secretary Ryan Weber, said that Bishop has made a significant contribution to the club.

"It is fair to say that the club was struggling when 'Bish' joined however he and Chris Aitken (President) set about changing the club and built it into the strength it is today" Weber.

The 33 year will not be lost to the club however as he has agreed to take on the lesser role of "Director of Coaching" which will see him mentor coaches from Auskick through to seniors.

"I will not be walking away from the club as I love the club and have invested a significant amount of time into it. This decision just means that I won't have to be at every training session or for the whole of a Matchday" Bishop said.

"I also want to continue playing for as long as I can".

Bishop will continue in his role as BDAFL Representative Coach.

Terrigal Avoca expect to be in a position to name a new coach next week.